Transforming Tough into Triumph!!!
Grab what makes you comfortable and curl up with the advice, blessings, musings, photos, quotes, and links that are presented to inspire, motivate, encourage, strengthen you.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Funny thing about this life. It's not really meant to be comfortable. We can find comfort--a comfortable chair, or pillow. We can find a comfortable friend. There are delicious moments of deep comfort. Then things change. You can count on it. So one of the life skills we all need is to understand about going with the flow of change. Sometimes it means we have to create the change we want to happen. Sometimes it means you have to work with what is happening, be patient with the process the way it is.

If you plan a picnic and the weather turns to rain what are your choices? You can be bummed. You can be bummed and then make new plans. You can decide to play in the rain. You can reschedule the picnic. There are always choices if you don't limit yourself. That's a choice too, isn't it, to limit yourself into thinking that you don't have a choice.

The things that matter most in this world come with a price tag. It might be that the thing you desire will take time, so you have to wait. Sometimes what matters will take effort and energy to accomplish. Sometimes we are required to change and that's scary because when we change we are heading into uncharted territory.

Being uncomfortable is a part of life. Sometimes we just need to observe it, notice it, and then move on anyway. Sometimes it comes with a lesson. Sometimes discomfort comes as a call to action or sometimes as a message not to move. This is where listening to your inner voice (some people call it intuition, some call it your "guts") comes in. Pay attention to it, listen to your inner sense of knowing or seek advice from someone you trust who has experience and wisdom. Know that the hard times pass.

In the process of growing and change, be kind to yourself--this will be a comfort. Be kind to others too, because you never know what's happening in their life.

You can become familiar with these cycles so when you're comfortable you can be grateful for the pleasure. And when you're not comfortable, you can be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Here are some things you can do RIGHT NOW to reduce stress and get yourself in balance:

~When you're feeling stressed, take nice, slow deep breaths. You can put your hand on your belly and feel it expand before your chest gets full of air. That will be a nice deep breath (watch a baby sleeping and you'll see their bellies go up and down with their breath, it's natural).

~Take a break from the thing that's stressing you out. Read a good book. Get some art supplies and express yourself. Or enjoy what ever makes you feel safe and comfortable: Some people like a bath with candles, others like to get active, take a run or play a sport. Imagine you are resting some place beautiful (like the photo above in Okinawa). Even just imagining changes your body chemistry!

~Keep a journal. Write what ever comes to your mind, just let it go. No one else has to read this, you won't be graded, and you can tear it up afterwards if you want to. Just write and keep writing. You'll surprise yourself with what will come out if you keep the pen moving (even if you write nonsense for part of it, that's okay).

~Make sure you're giving yourself good nourishment. Drink plenty of water and take a good vitamin B complex which will be good for your nerves. Drink plenty of fresh water too.

~If you want, you can go to a health food store and try out a product called "Rescue Remedy". It's a simple combination of flower essences that you can take either on your tongue or in water. I have friends who are afraid to fly when they travel and it really helps.

~Can you find someone to talk with? Do you have someone in your life that you trust? Sometimes talking things out gives you a new perspective. You do not have to go it alone. Ask for help if you need it. It's okay to ask for help!

~Ask for hugs too. You're never too old to need or want a hug.

Quote for the day: "Growing is not a comfortable thing. That's why we hear about 'growing pains.' Getting familiar with the discomfort of growth can help you move through it more smoothly. All this does not mean that you sit passively as hard times hit. you need to participate: make the choices that are right for you, shift the way you look at things, and move on when when it's time."

--from You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way by Laya Saul

Here's a cyber (((((hug))))) for you for any time you need it.

Remember: You'll get through what ever is going on that makes you feel stressed, you really will. Hang in there! Many blessings.

Monday, May 07, 2007

How are you?How are you doing in the different areas of your life?Physical/material—your body, finances, environment etcEmotional—relationships and feelingsMental—how do you think about yourself and others?Spiritual—do you have a relationship with your own sense of Spirit or God?Do you know what you really want out of life?Do you know what you want out of this day?

If you have the courage to ask yourself these kinds of questions, you'll have a place to begin planning what's next in your life. You can go "where ever the wind blows you" or you can choose a direction and take the steps to create the life you want for yourself.

We're all given the same number of hours a day. There's nothing anyone can to do change that. From there though, you have all kinds of opportunities to be creative and resourceful about building a life that will have meaning, purpose, value, and pleasure for you. The way to know what's important is to sit down with yourself--and you can do this with a buddy too--and ask yourself what you want out of life.

ASK!Ask for helpAsk for guidanceAsk for your dreamsAsk the hard questions of yourselfAsk the people you trust in life how they do it

ASK and keep asking until you find the answers that are meaningful for you. Ask until you find the qualities or tools or resources you need to decide what's next.

There is magic in asking. Even if you don't get the answers you want, you'll be no worse off than you are now. So ASK. People who have the information you want usually want to tell, but they don't want to throw it out to someone who's not interested. They wait for people to ASK. So, ask!

About Me

I love to connect with people and make a positive difference in this world. No one gets a life without challenges. Some people seem to have more than their fair share. It’s my mission to ease the way for who ever I can. So, I wrote a book titled "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way--What I Wish Someone Had Told Me." It’s the book I wish someone had written for me when I was searching as a teen, because I learned way too much “the hard way.” If you're interested you can read some of that on my website (check out the links below) or on the book's page on Amazon.com. (If you click on 'surprise me' it will get you to other places in the book if you want to read more.)
I love being married and I love being a mom. I love my dog and cat and chickens. If you search around the blog, I've got photos of my dog and cat posted. There's more than one dog and cat here though. Hint: my dog and cat are have the same color fur. :-)
Enjoy!
Aunt Laya